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Mrs Maureen Patterson, a member of Newcastle Presbyterian Church, has been elected Central President of the Presbyterian Women's Association (PWA), a 15,000 strong organisation for women in the Presbyterian Church.
At the Association's Annual Meeting held in Church House, Belfast on Thursday 10 May Mrs Patterson received her chain of office from outgoing President, Mrs Margaret Thompson from Armagh.
During her two year term of office Mrs Patterson will be addressing PWA Services and branches throughout Ireland, representing the PWA on Church Board and Committees and visiting Presbyterian Deaconesses to encourage them in their work. Most Presidents also have the opportunity to travel overseas to visit partner churches where Irish Presbyterians are working alongside local people.
'I'm looking forward to what I'm sure will be two busy years,' said Mrs Patterson. 'Mindful of the PWA theme for the coming year, 'Choice in a Changing World,' I'm very aware that despite the vast choice we have there is increasing dissatisfaction. I want to encourage people to choose the never changing God to resole their dissatisfactions and fulfill their needs.'
The theme of this year's annual meeting was 'Choice in a Changing World' and the audience of around 3,000 women, 1,w500 each at afternoon and evening sessions heard first hand accounts of missionary work in Indonesia and Malawi.
Also announced were two projects to be assisted financially by the PWA over the next 12 months.
The local project receiving help will be for supported housing for people with learning disability being undertaken by the Presbyterian Board of Social Witness in conjunction with Oaklee Housing Association. The scheme in Coleraine will house nine people and money raised by PWA will be used to provide soft furnishings, fixtures and fittings.
Overseas, support will be given to help develop new projects in Northern Kenya, particularly initiatives to reach out to the Samburu and Turkana peoples with the Gospel. Church planting in this area has been difficult but as people come to faith in Jesus they are beginning to turn away from their old ways of living, particularly immorality and the low standing of women.
Last month there was concern that these meetings would be cancelled due to the foot and mouth epidemic. However following Ministry of Agriculture guidelines and in consultation with some of the rural PWA branches it was decided that the event could take place.
Mrs Maureen Patterson (centre) receives her chain of Office as PWA Central President from Mrs Margaret Myers PWA Executive secretary (right) and outgoing President Mrs Margaret Thompson (left)
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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